Correspondence.

which the receipts were over ^ , 140 , and the amount placed to the Benevolent Fund was £ 7 odd . Out of this £ 5 5 s . was voted to a brother who went up as Steward for the Benevolent Institution , and all that he could collect in the lodge for that fund in addition was some £ 2 2 s . This , it seems to me , is scarcely fulfilling

the grand object of our Institutions . I do not imagine that everyone will agree with me , or that I must be right upon every suggestion I may make , and I , therefore , propose that a meeting be held to discuss the basis upon which such lodges as I think we want should be formed .

In brief outline , my ideas upon this would be somewhat as follows : I should say adopt the usual scale of fees , but provide that out of every ^ 105 received the following sums should be set aside , at least , say . £ 5 5 s . for the lodge Benevolent Fund , and £$ 5 s . for each of our

three Institutions , or , in round figures , 20 per cent ., not 5 per cent . Spend the rest as you will , but I venture to think we mi ght spend many an evening just as pleasantly and as socially , with a less expensive Fourth Degree , and more time given to intellectual

amusement , in which others mi ght join , or in doing philanthropic work . With a little fraternal discussion , a common basis , no doubt , would soon be found , and a lodge , or lodges , formed .

Once at work , the members of such lodges would have their own as an example , and , with the assistance of the Grand Officers and Secretaries , let the members visit or become members of other lodges in all cases such as I have mentioned , and by fraternal persuasion endeavour to bring other lodges to agree to set aside

more for our Charities , and also to engage in any work ot that or of a philanthropic character which may present . What a help such brethren might render to our Institutions , and beyond that the field is wide enough . I live beneath the shadows of that vast building the

Alexandra Palace , with its magnificent grounds . Closed as it virtually is , I never look that way without regretting that such a health-giving lung should be thus lying useless to my neighbours . Would it be impossible for Freemasons to set to work to get this converted into a residential and

recreative institute , useful to themselves and to the people of London ? We could do it if we will . Who'll help , and thus prove to the world the happy and beneficial effects of Freemasonry ? Or if any brother thinks this too big a thing , I can introduce him at once to work of a very similar kind

upon a smaller scale , in which personal help will be thankfully received . It would perhaps scarcel y be Masonic or wise for me to say all that might be advanced . From the above , however , you will gather a fair idea of the direction in

which I have ventured to think an advance might be made , and , thanking you again—I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , J . E . CARVER . April 7 th .

W . M . IN THE CHAIR . To the Editor of the " Freemason , " Dear Sir and Brother , I cannot agree with Bro . J . Wardley ' s letter to you of last week . I am uf the same opinion as " D . C , " a W . M . should never leave his chair j it is his

constant place in the lodge , and he cannot depute it . If he cannot work an initiation his I . P . M . must perform the ceremony , but not take the W . M . ' s chair . The I . P . M . may go in front of the pedestal , if sufficiently removed from the chair , or he may stand

and ( deliver at the side , but it is contrary to all usage for him to usurp , as it were , the W . M . ' s place and position . Hoping to hear further on this interesting point , I am , yours fraternall y , P . G .

MASONIC VAGRANTS . To thc Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , In your impression of the 30 th ult ., 1 notice under the heading of "Caution , " that Bro . Alf . C . Mutton , of Redhill , mentions one Fred . Charles Herbert , St . John ' s , No . 1 G 6 , Airdrie , as having come

under his notice . The Treasurer and myself , after having carefully examined our books , cannot find any such name , and we have no hesitation in saying that anyone posing under this name is imposing on the Brotherhood . We disclaim all knowledge of the party in question . Hoping you will see your way to insert this disclaimer in your next issue , I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally ,

GEO . ANDERSON , Sec . No . iOG , St . John ' s , Airdrie . 171 , Chapel-street , Airdrie , April Sth .

CLOSING UP UF LODGES . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , As to the closing up or re-numbering of the lodges , I dn most strongly agree with you in deprecating any such step . With the great number of lodges still on the English roll thc confusion would be horrible and 1 should think the Grand Secretary and his officers

Correspondence.

and every Prov . G . Sec , will piously hope that thc closing up may never take place in his time . I venture to think that your correspondent H ., is not a lodge or Provincial Secretary , or he would not so lightly recommend such a portentous movement . — I have the honour to be , yours faithfully and fraternally , C . H . W . Leicester , April 9 th , 1695 .

Reviews

REVIEWS

" MASONIC C ALENDAR TOR THE PROVINCE OF HAMPSHIRE AND THE ISLE OF WIGHT for the year ending 31 st March , 1 S 96 . " The editors of this large and comprehensive work are Bros . Edgar Goble and G . F . Lancaster ( Prov . G . Sec . and Asst . Prov . G . Sec . respectively ) who have done their part most admirably . Th ' s directory is an excellent and exhaustive compilation , well arranged ,

carefully printed , and full of particulars concerning the 4 S lodges , 23 chapters , 14 Mark Lodges , five Ark Mariners ' Lodges , five Rose Croix Chapters , and three Knights Templar Preceptories . The R . VV . Bro . W . VV . Beach , M . P ., is the esteemed head of all the provincial organizations for these degrees , and as there are 355 S subscribing brethren in the province , neither his duties nor those ot his

zealous Deputies and Prov . Secretaries can be a light matter to discharge . There were 275 initiates during 1 S 94 , the average membership to each lodge being 74 , which is an exceptionally high figure , some of the lodges having as many subscribers as some of the small provinces all put together . No . 142 S returns 292 , No . 359 has 1 S 2 , No . 2074 nearly as many , there being n lodges with over 100

brethren each . There are 12 lodges in Portsmouth , returning a total of 1323 , being an average of no members to each—extraordinary figures ; fi ^ e lodges at Southampton , four at Aldershot , and three at Gosport , the lodges being distributed in 24 towns , eight being in tn « 1-le of Wight . The List of Extinct Hampshire Lodges , compiled from Bro .

Lane ' s " Masonic Records 1717 1 SS 6 , " is a most instructive table and so are others to be found in this capital annual , space alone forbidding our reference to them at length as they deserve . The editors may be congratulated on the success of their labours on behalf of their large and united Province .

* ' FRREMASONS' CALENDAR AND DIRECTORY FOR THE PROVINCE OF L EICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND , 1 S 95 . " —This excellent and ably-arranged Annual is in its 23 rd year of publication , and has been edited , of late years , bv Bro . B . A . Smith , M . A ., LL . M ., to the complete satisfaction of all concerned . This issue has for the frontispiece a " speaking" ( smiling ) portrait of the esteemed Bro . John

T . Thorp , P . M . 523 , P . Prov . S . G . W ., the present Secretary and chief founder , the " life and soul , " of the "Lodgeof Research , " No . 2429 , which is doing a grand work in the province . As the Editor states in his most appreciative review of this zealous and intelligent brother , " It will be seen that from the day of Bro . Thorp ' s initiation he has worked well and worthily . His interest ,

instead of llagging , rather grows keener every year . A great lover and an ardent student of the Literature of the Order , and a perfect Master of the Ritual of all the Degrees . " The portrait will be much valued b y Bro . Thorp ' s troops of friends , who will be highly gratified to see him deservedly honoured . The Calendar is again increased in size ; we wish , however , there had been one more paee exhibiting the number of members of each

lodge , and the grand total . Else we cannot suggest any improvements or additions , the work being well done from first to last . The list of votes for the Central Masonic Charities is most favourable , there being 2257 , being a good increase on last year , and a creditable record . " Masonic Notes , " & c , and Statistics as to the Charities are most useful compilations , and the Editor evidently believes in making the Directory as complete as possible .

"FREEMASONS' CALENDAR AND DIRECTORY FOR THE PROVINCE OF SOMERSET . 1 S 95 . 96 . " —This is one of the largest publications of the kind , and is brimful of information . Statistically and generally , it cannot well be improved upon in any particular , the Editor , Bro . C . L . Fry Edwards being always open to receive suggestions , and ever ready to adopt them , if advantageous to the Province . There are

26 lodges in Somerset , with 1237 subscribing members , thus exhibiting a slight decrease on last return , the votes , however , for the Charities are on the increase , the total now being the large number of 4 S 06 . In 17 years the Province has contributed the enormous sum of £ 8970 17 s . 6 d . What the members have received from the Institutions during that peiiod is not stated , but there are now some 15 Beneficaries

debited to the Province , representing over £ 600 per annum in value . Full particulars are given as to the various lodges , Provincial honours , if any , of the members , and the names and addresses of the Treasurers and Secretaries . So also as to the Royal Arch chapters , and Mark lodges , and other Masonic Bodies . Theie have been only 50 Initiations during 1 S 94 , but it is better to think less of numbers than of

quality , the danger lying in such rapid increase as exhibited of late years , andthe consequent claims made on the Funds by indigent and impecunious brethren or their unprovided dependants . There arc nine Mark lodges in the Province , with 26 4 members , and 11 Royal Arch chapters , with 331 companions . A portrait of Colonel A . T . Perkins , P . G . D . of England , & c , appears as the Frontispiece , but there is

no memoir . "LODGE LA FRANCE , NO . 2 OGO . '_ ' Re-cue des dis premieres annecs . — 1 his is a neat little publication in French , and contains a bright sketch of this well-known lodge during the 10 years that have elapsed since its constitution , 'l'he events of each year are separatel y described , while at the end there is a summary of what has been done for the Masonic Institutions and various

non-Masonic Charities and a list of the distinguished brethren who have becn made honorary members . Due honour is also paid to those who have done the lodge any special services , but more especially to Bros . T . Fenn , and F . Richardson . If other lodges were to follow the example of Lodge La France , and carefully yet briefly prepare a record of its work , future writers of English Masonic history would be spared a considerable amount of labour .

Reviews

"BRADSIIAW ' S DICTIONARY OF BATHING PLACES AND CLIMATIC HEALTH RESORTS . " London : Kegan , Paul , Trench , Triibuer , and Co ., Ltd ., Paternoster House , Charing Cross-road , W . C . —This is an exceedingly useful compilation , which has been issued for some years past , but the present edition will be found to have been greatly enlarged and made still more accurate and trustworthy . The introductory chapters and the articles in which

are described the more important stations such as Baden-Baden , Homburg , Schwalbach , Wiesbaden , & c , have been rc-written . Among these chapters are one as to the constituents of mineral waters , another containing suggestions to those who contemplate taking a course of mineral waters or baths on the Continent . There are also several tables of diseases , important climatic and winter stations ; the quickest and cheapest routes to wateringplace and general health resorts . The bulk of the work

embraces a general description of places alphabetically arranged , so that those who may desire to consult its pages will have no difficulty in finding the information they desire . What adds greatly to the value of the directory is the maps and plans with which it is furnished . These have becn very clearly and neatly drawn , ancl exhibit the itineraries that should be follow : d by intending travellers . Indeed , to all who travel to places of this description , and for purposes of health , the directory is an indispensable -eade meciun .

"THE HOUSE OF THE HIDDEN PLACES . " —A clue to the creed of early Egypt from Egyptian sources . By VV . Marsham Adams , author of " The Drama of Empire , " and formerly Fellow ot New College , Oxford . Lindon : John Murray , Albemarle-street , 1895 . —The object of this book is to establish the correpondence which is traceable between the passage clumbers of the Grand Pyramid — called by the Egyptians of old the " Khut " or " Lights "—

and " the various stages traversed according to the creed of that ancient nation , by the holy dead passing from the light of earth to the light of eternal day . " The author had already drawn attention to this correspondence in an article which appeared last year in the New Revic-. ii . 1 n this work the analogy is worked out in greater detail and in such a manner as Mr . Adams thinks will "present a clear basis for investigation " in either direction . In the case of the Ritual we obtain

what appears to me to be a consistent and intelligible analysis of that hitherto impenetrable creed through the gradual transformation of the faculties in successive stages of illumination . With regard to the Pyramid , we are led to suggest a spiritual and most far-sighted purpose for its construction , " seeing that it cantains within itself " an indestructible and immutable symbol of the national religion . " The paints of correspondence , according to

Mr . Adims , between this symbol which is the path so jealously concealed in the interior of the " Pyramid of Light " and "the path described textually in the well-known collection of sacred Egyptian writings , which is called by us the'Book of the l ); ad , ' but which claims for its own title the ' Book of the Master of the Hidden Places , '" are so numerous in themselves and form so severe a system of check's upon each other , as to reduce almost to nothing

the chance of their arising from mere coincidence ; while no amount of ingenuity—the deadliest perhaps of all opponents to truth—could suffice to satisfy the innumerable conditions connected with the worship , the calendar , and the civil constitution of the country which such a correspondence must fulfil . " For this much as to the author ' s purpose in compiling his book , we are indebted to his preface , and those who carefully study the chapters into

which he has divided it and in which he has striven to establish his theory , will be able to judge for themselves whether or not he has succeeied in this attempt , and if so to what extent . We have advisedly used the words " carefully study , " for the work is of the most abstruse character , and a mere reading of the different chapters will be of little use in elucidating the theory . However , without pretending for one moment that we have mastered

all the intricacies which are set before us in this volume , there is , it seems to us , a very marvellous correspondence at almost every stage between the paths in the Pyramid of Lig ht and the Ritual respectively . There is , in fact , such a correspondence between the two as justifies Mr . Adams in propounding his theory that the path in the interior of the Great Pyramid is the symbol of the path pursued by the just , when the bonds of the flesh being loosed , he passed through

stage after slage of spiritual growth , until initiated in the new birth and illumined in the hidden life , he became indissolubly united with him , whose name , says the Egyptian Ritual , ' is Light , Great Creator . ' " To our readers , therefore , we most strongly commend a work which will be interesting to them from the exposition it contains of the mysterious Egyptian creed of bygone ages , and more easily comprehensible from their greater familiarity with the use oi symbols as exponents of what may not bs made intelligible to the general body .

"REPORT ON FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE TO THS GRAND COUNCIL R . & S . M . OF OHIO . " At the annual assembly in Manilla , 26 th September , 1894 . By S . Stacker Williams . Comp . Williams has been very successful in his review of the various proceedings dealt with in the Report , the number of Grand Councils to which they relate

being 26 , of which all but two belong to the United States . Comp . Williams ' s mode of treatment appears to be regulated in the same manner . That is to say , he furnishes such statistical information as seems valuable , and the names ol the Grand Masters and Grand Secretaries , and where points in the proceedings have arisen which , in his opinion , call for criticism , he has criticised with judgment .

Masonic Hall At The Stratpord Town Hall.

MASONIC HALL AT THE STRATPORD TOWN HALL .

A ball , under the auspices of tho brethren of the Woodgrange Lodge , No . 2409 , took p lace at the Town Hall , Stratford , on Friday , the 5 th inst . At an early hour nearly 250 of the brethren and their lady and

gentlemen friends had assembled , and dancing commenced at 8 . 30 p . m . The decorations of the line ha " and the catering were very effectively carried ont by the management of the Princess Alice Hotel , Forest Gate . The tasteful dresses of the ladies and the Masonic clothing of the brethren , Craft , Royal Arch ,